Wine and Cheese - The Perfect Pairing
Wine and cheese is one of the oldest food and drink pairings around and for very good reasons. The sheer amount of combinations between these two rich and traditional products allows for a great flavour experience on almost every occasion. From fresh cheese to aged, there are countless cheese types produced all over the world and nearly each of them can be associated with its best wine partner. Sometimes it’s as easy as combining Italian cheese with Italian wine, but on other occasions, this choice is much more subtle.
The Science Behind Wine and Cheese
Recent research explored this ancient culinary correlation in-depth and found how the high fat content in dairy products creates a thick layer, covering the taste receptors present in the mouth. This layer repels most flavours, creating that familiar sense of “roundness” on the tongue. The astringent properties of wine, however, can cut through that layer, delivering all the qualities of the beverage, enhanced in its complex taste composition.
Now let us leave the science behind and enjoy together a delicious trip among the best wine and cheese pairings. Your next platter will leave everyone speechless.
Mozzarella - Mediterranean Wine and Cheese Pairings
When serving Mozzarella, a fresh cheese at its core, the most important rule to remember for the best wine pairing is “low tannins”. And after all, Mozzarella is one of those cheeses best served “as is”, accompanied by a fresh portion of tomatoes, some olive oil and salt on a clean and delicious summer platter. A great Mediterranean entrèe or side dish.
For this typical rindless Italian cheese, we can recommend a few suggestions which would perform perfectly in a cheese and wine tasting. A recently rediscovered red wine, hailing from the same region the premium “Mozzarella di Bufala” is produced, "Camaiola" represents a great option for red wines. This low-tannin red is modern and easy, with a flavour rich enough to complement the creamy fullness of Mozzarella cheese without overpowering it. Camaiola has been historically defined as the “Barbera of the south” and associated with the typical grapes from the Monferrato region of Piedmont. Recent vine genetics studies, however, restored the uniqueness of this grape, giving us the chance to appreciate such a regional option among wine and cheese pairings.
Sauvignon Blanc, such as “Earinos”, is another wine that greatly complements the creamy consistency of Mozzarella. Its dry and crisp characteristics, paired with a typically grassy flavour, give the traditional Italian cheese a perfect companion for a fresh and tasty southern meal. The contrast between the moderate acidity of the wine and the slightly tangy flavour of this fresh cheese will further enhance the tasting experience, proving to be one of the best wine and cheese pairings.
Gorgonzola - Blue Cheese and Wine
Hailing from the northern Italian province of Milan, Gorgonzola is originally tied to the town of Gorgonzola, from which it inherited its name. Early historical sources point to a production of Gorgonzola already active in the late Middle Ages. However old this blue cheese might be, it’s still loved and appreciated nowadays, being the second most exported after the iconic Grana Padano.
As mentioned, Gorgonzola fits into the “blue cheese” category among cheese types, this is due to its characteristic inclusion of mold cultures from the Penicillium family (the same family of mold utilized to produce the famous antibiotics). The process to produce Gorgonzola cheese is strict and controlled, leading to the final results of two main cheese types: “sweet” Gorgonzola and “spicy” Gorgonzola. The former being creamier and lighter to the taste, while the latter is more aged and conveys a stronger flavor on the tongue.
Gorgonzola represents one of the hardest wine and cheese pairings, like many other blue cheese types, due to its innate bitterness and fat consistency. Our first recommendation will be a good Riesling; such a soft and mellow white wine balances out the bitterness of the mold thanks to its sweet undertones, while the structured alcoholic level will be strong enough to cope with the fatty cheese creaminess. For the spicier Gorgonzola cheese type, a great Barolo will instead prove to be an excellent combination, showing how Gorgonzola, while being a powerful and intense food, can also double as one of the best cheese with red wine. An aged and spicy slice of Gorgonzola could also be the perfect Pinot Noir cheese pairing, greatly complementing the classic elegance of this timeless grape.
Blue is Healthy
While widepsread and popular, blue cheese is often still met with uncertainty and mistrust in many countries all around the world, due to the inclusion of mold within its preparation. While mold is certainly undesirable for the vast majority of foods, blue cheese is the exception to this rule. Blue cheese contains plenty nutrients and beneficial components such as a high calcium concentration (typical of cheese in general) but also a polyamine compound helpful in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Blue is healthy indeed!
Camembert - King of French Cheese
Camembert is a French cheese from Normandy, an iconic symbol of French cuisine and one of its best cheeses. It was named by Napoleon himself (so the story goes) after the town of Camembert in Normandy which set the stage for the abundant production of this famous product. Camembert is a ripened skin cheese, with its well-known soft and slightly fuzzy white exterior, which hides the creamy and delicious inside portion. Among cheese types, it finds a close relative in the equally known but less prestigious Brie, another white ripened surface French cheese. The differences between Brie and Camembert are substantial however: the latter has traditionally been always produced and packed in small round wheels, compared to the bigger Brie wheels, and also displays more intense flavours and aroma. Moreover, contrary to Brie, Camembert is widely utilized in French cuisine and all over the world as an ingredient for cooking, thanks to its creamy consistency and solubility at medium temperatures.
Camembert of Normandy is currently the only AOP certified Camembert variation from France, but there are several Camembert cheese types on the market, including versions produced with Calvados or Cider. Some of these variants boast a legacy almost as old as the original cheese type.
Pairing Camembert with the perfect wine will prove to be considerably easier than our previous couples, thanks to its long-standing tradition in cuisine and gourmet preparations.
Such an elegant product requires an equally elegant wine pairing, a crisp and light Chablis will provide the perfect balance for the best wine and cheese pairing. If you are craving for a bolder summer wine pairing, then perhaps a light French rosé could be the perfect choice. "Madame L'Eperon", while normally unfit for aged cheeses, the short aging period of Camembert can suit the occasion and allow for this marriage of love on the table.
Fontina - World Wide Cheese
Fontina is a cheese type originary of Northern Italy, produced mainly in the region of Valle d'Aosta, on the border with France. The special quality of this italian cheese is its ability to melt perfectly, serving greatly in any recipe requiring the perfect cheese inclusion. For this reason, Fontina is one of the most appreciated cheeses around the world, being appreciated in several countries other than Italy. In the United States. for example, is one of the best ingredients for the famous mac and cheese dish.
Parmesan - Italian Cheese Excellence
Considered by most to be one of the best cheese and product in general Italy has to offer, Parmesan or "Parmigiano Reggiano" is a truly extraordinary food. This italian cheese is hard-paste, belonging to the Grana family, from the region of Emilia-Romagna. The original producers of Parmesan cheese were the monks belonging to the various monasteries in the area. Through the centuries, the process to produce Parmesan evolved into the certified and regulated recipe in place today.
Each Parmesan wheel must invariably weigh 30-40kgs and requires up to 550 litres of milk to be produced. The minimum amount of ageing needed is 12 months, however different Parmesan types can be aged further, with the longest ageing period being usually 36 months. Longer ageing period confer a complex flavor profile to the cheese, turning it into a desirable and adaptable ingredient for countless dishes from Italian cuisine.
Parmesan is a bold and powerful cheese, full of character, for this very reason, our wine and cheese pairing for Parmesan will comprise of two equally strong and intense wines, able to match its flavour and the wide combination of dishes it belongs to.
Chianti Classico is a ruby red and extremely elegant wine, its good acidity will find no issue in countering the salty flavour of Parmesan. For a bolder taste experience, pair an aged Parmesan cheese type with a deep Barbera d'Alba Superiore, the result will prove special among wine and cheese pairings. A 36 months aged Parmesan slice could also be the perfect cheese with Cabernet Sauvignon, providing great flavour companionship to such a flavourful food.
Experience the Best Wine and Cheese Pairings
Wine Tasting, 3 Cheeses Pairing and Tour - Château Suduiraut
📍Suduiraut, Preignac, France
A special tasting including carefully selected cheeses in the beautiful environment of Château Suduiraut.
Wine Tasting and Cheese Pairing - Vins Schoenheitz
📍Wihr-au-Val, France
The Munster Valley is known for the great cheese and wine, at Vins Schoenheitz you will experience the perfect pairing between the two. An all around taste experience.
Wine and Cheese Tasting -Villarena
📍Naples, Italy
Let an expert introduce you to the organic garden at Villarena, where you will discover its delicious wines and typical cheese such as Mozzarella, Provolone and more. End the tasting with a refreshing sip of Limoncello.
Wine Tasting at Herdade do Freixo - Regional Cheese and Sausages Board
📍Évora, Portugal
At Herdade do Freixo, cheese may be king but it does not come alone. Visit this beautiful winery and experience some of the best cheeses and sausages that Portugal can offer on a delicious board, paired with the perfect wine.
Wine and Cheese Tasting at Andrias Gvino
📍Tbilisi, Georgia
Take part in this Wine and Cheese tasting including 4 different wines and 2 Georgian cheeses, locally produced. An experienced host will guide you through the making of natural Georgian wines and the beauty of the Andrias Gvino winery.
